Ajax Draven's POV

"You ready?" I nodded at Deion before summoning a very thin sheet of vigor in my body. We cannot be tracked, we cannot blow our cover, because our enemies might escape when they find out our presence. Based on the number of life strings I see from inside, there are about a hundred of them. The life strings were faint gold in color, meaning that the transformation of the mortals was complete. The tint of gold was only light and it looked unstable. They have completed the experiment, but they haven't optimized the methods yet. It is not yet perfected, and we shall stop anyone in charge of this project before the pseudosemideuses can further cause destruction in both the realms.

Buong akala namin e matitigil na ang pseudosemideus experiments, pero tuloy-tuloy pa rin pala ang operations ng mga hinayupak na kalaban. Mayroon na kaming suspected people na nagpapatuloy nitong research na ito, pero makukumpirma pa namin ito kung mapapasok namin ang establishment na ito.

Deion tapped his earpiece and said, "In three." He tapped it again, and in a second, his whole body was covered by his vigor. "Now."

Deion jumped off the tall tree, his sword on his side. From the different sides of the establishment, different attacks came gashing towards all its walls. Inihanda ko na rin ang espada ko dahil hindi ako kasali sa oplan sira nila. I have other things to do. With a force, I jumped off the tree and let my wings bloom before me.

"Azrael: Infinite strings, splinter." With a swing, all the life strings were cut very easily. It is now easy for me to do it because they are not in their transition state anymore. I disintegrated the wings and landed on both my feet.

When the smoke around halted, I saw the minister wearing a laboratory gown, at the center of the other Stellars. The usual irritating smile cannot be found on her lips. Halata ang takot sa mga mata niya nang dumako ang tingin niya sa akin. Hindi pa talaga siya nadala sa mga nangyari, itinuloy niya talaga ang fake demigod experiment.

"Damn you! My decades-worth experiment was in vain because of you nosy demigods!" Nawala ang takot sa mga mata niya at napalitan ng galit.

I started walking towards her, my right eye beaming the color of the deities' life strings. Her eyes shifted to the Azrael that is as intense as before. 'Soul sword: Bloom of the black spider lily.' The black flowers started growing on the path I was taking. Then, my sword was replaced by a black spider lily. "I suppose you did not hear my warning to those who pose threats in the two realms."

When I reached her, I let her take a whiff of the smell of the flower, and I guess it helped, because she gulped and looked back at me as she slowly raised her hands. It was so satisfying to see her scared like this, after all of the things she did to our realm. I guess she found out what the smell of endless death in the underworld is.

I smirked and changed it back to my sword. Then, I pointed its tip on her heart, and the fear in her eyes intensified. "I-I give up." Inilagay ni Aidan ang mga kamay ng minister sa likod at pinosasan. It is a specialized handcuff that deactivates the vigor of the bound one.

We surrendered the minister to the council, and we left.

It has been three years since the upbringing happened. The casualties were fixed after a year. Kinailangan ng mahabang panahon para maibalik at maayos lahat ng nasira sa insidenteng 'yon. Ang malala pa, wala halos naitulong ang major gods sa pagsasaayos ng mythological realm. Marami pa rin kaming natanggap na missions pagkatapos noon. Nakakapagod man e wala kaming ibang pamimilian dahil kailangan din naming kumita.

Si Mama at Papa ay sa underworld nakatira. Hindi na maaaring manirahan sa surface si Mama dahil hindi na buhay ang katawan niya. Doon na lamang siya maninirahan, at ngayon ay isa siyang apprentice ni Lola. Madalang ko silang makita, pero ayos lang dahil binibisita naman nila ako sa tuwing wala silang ginagawa. Ang kaso, halos wala kaming time lahat dahil sa dami ng gawain. The Elysian fields, the Underworld, and the surface were busy after the awakening.

"Uwak..." Deion called. Napansin ko na wala na ang iba at wala na rin ang sasakyan ng Stellars.

"Hmm?"

"I'm tired. Let's go home." He pouted and held his hand in front of me. "Please." Hinawakan ko ang kamay niya at hinigit siya papunta sa kotse niya. Hanggang ngayon ay hindi pa rin ako marunong mag-drive, at wala akong balak mag-aral. Sanay naman akong mag-commute. Isa pa, swerte naman ako na mahilig mag-drive ang anak ni Zeus, hindi ko na kailangang mag-alala.

"Love, seatbelt." Natigilan ako nang marinig ang sinabi niya. Nang tingnan ko siya ay nanlalaki rin ang mga mata niya at unti-unting namumula ang mga tainga niya. Ngayon lamang niya ako tinawag ng ganoon, kaya hindi ko alam kung nadulas lamang ba siya.

"Sorry, Love."

Now, both his cheeks and ears are red. "Dude, you're blushing like a highschooler."

"Dude?" kumunot ang noo niya at inirapan niya ako. He started driving with a pout. He's mumbling something I don't understand. I pinched his cheek and ruffled his hair. "Ang cute cute mo, Deion." Matapos nito ay umaliwalas ang paligid at ang ekspresyon sa mukha niya.

Para bang mayroong something sa kanya na hindi normal. Ganoon pa rin siya, pero para bang may mali sa kanya. "How are you feeling?"

"I'm good. I just want to rest." Alam kong hindi maayos ang pakiramdam niya. Wala man siyang ekspresyon madalas e alam kong may mali sa mga mata niya ngayon. I placed the back of my hand on his forehead, and I instantly felt how hot he is. "Walang hiya ka, Kidlat. Nilalagnat ka, hindi ka man lang nagsasabi!" Hinampas ko ito sa braso at nag-aalalang tiningnan. "Kaya mo pa bang mag-drive?"

Tumango lang ito at nakangiting nagpatuloy sa pagmamaneho. "Anong nginingiti-ngiti mo r'yan?" Tinaasan ko siya ng kilay pero natawa na lamang siya.

Nang makababa kami sa sasakyan ay hinila ko kaagad siya papunta sa kwarto niya. "Higa," utos ko. Wala siyang nagawa kundi sumunod sa akin dahil nakahalukipkip na ang mga braso ko. "Bata pa po ako."

Sinamaan ko siya ng tingin bago tumalikod. "Umayos ka. Subukan mong tumayo, Kidlat, sinasabi ko sa'yo. Hindi ka makakalapit sa akin." Lumabas ako ng kwarto niya at dumeretso sa kusina para kumuha ng maligamgam na tubig. Kumuha na rin ako ng dalawang malinis na face towel sa kwarto ko.

Nang bumalik ako sa kwarto niya ay nakita ko siyang nakahiga at naglalaro ng kidlat sa kamay niya. He pouted as soon as he saw me. "Hubarin mo na 'yang damit mo at punasan ang katawan mo."

Agad niyang tinanggal ang damit niya at humiga ulit. Binasa ko naman ang isang towel at piniga bago iniabot sa kanya. "Ikaw na," sabi niya nang naka-pout. Napahinga na lamang ako nang malalim bago umupo sa gilid ng kama at nagsimulang punasan ang katawan niya. I was about to say something when he spoke. "Don't nag anymore, please. My head is aching na po."

Napangiti ako dahil sa inasta niya. Nasaan na ang maangas na apo ni Athena? Bakit parang bata ang kaharap ko ngayon? "Ikaw kasi e. Hindi ka nagsasabi. Huwag mo nang uulitin ito, ha?" Tiningnan niya lamang ako. "Sa susunod na may iba kang nararamdaman, sabihin mo kaagad sa akin, okay?" Tumango-tango siya at tumayo ulit para isuot ang bagong damit na kinuha ko. "Talikod ka muna." Matapos niyang sumunod ay kinuha ko ang isa pang towel at isinapin ito sa likod niya.

"Ayan, pwede ka nang humiga." Ngumiti lang siya sa akin at tumingin sa kisame. "May kukunin lang ako sa kwarto ko—" I was about to stand up when his arms snaked upon my waist, making me sit down again. He placed his chin on my shoulder before closing his eyes.

"You smell so good." He snuggled in my neck like what Nimbus does all the time, so I ruffled his hair again.

"Balik ka kaagad," sabi niya at kumalas na sa pagkakayakap sa akin. Humiga na siya kaya lumabas na ako at ibinalik na ang mga ginamit sa kusina. Nagpalit lamang ako ng damit at bumalik sa kusina para kumuha ng bowl at ng isang basong gatas.

Nang makabalik ako sa kwarto niya ay nakatulala lamang siya sa kisame at parang batang nakanguso. "What were you thinking?"

Sumampa ako sa kama niya at inilagay sa tabi niya ang isang bowl ng iced gems biscuit. Kuminang ang mga mata niya nang makita niya ito at namuo ang matamis na ngiti sa labi niya. "Thank you."

"Ubusin mo na 'yan, tapos matulog na, okay? Bawal kang gumawa ng missions hangga't hindi ka gumagaling." Tumango-tango lang siya at humugot ng malalim na hininga. "Yes, Aji, I will not na po."

"Good."

Matapos niyang ubusin ang gatas at biscuits niya ay humiga na siya at inilagay ang sarili niya sa ilalim ng kumot bago isinuksok ang mukha sa leeg ko. The warmth I get from his body made me somehow comfortable, and like him, I let myself drift in a deep slumber.

Three days have passed and now, we are on our way to the ministry. Today is supposed to be the gracing ceremony, mayroon nang bagong minister ngayon, at hindi katulad noong dating minister, maayos at mabuti ang puso ng bagong minister. And who guessed it would be Madam Yvii? Nalaman namin noong isang buwan na si Madam Yvii pala talaga ang dapat na Minister at hindi ang panget na iyon. Iyon nga lamang daw, ang diyos ang nagtalaga sa kanya. Ang kapalit? Ang pagiging kakampi niya ng deities at ang pagtataksil sa buong realm.

"We're here," Deion said and parked the car. Magaling na siya, kahapon pa. Noong mga araw na may sakit siya sobrang clingy niya at parang bata na laging nangangailangan ng atensyon. Hindi ko siya hinayaang gumawa ng mga misyon kahit na nagpupumilit pa siya. Wala naman siyang nagagawa. UNDERstanding naman kasi ang anak na ito ni Tita Franz.

I handed him his bag and put my bracelet on his wrist. It was the bracelet my father gave me on my first gracing ceremony. Kailangan niya kasi 'yung protection bracelet na 'yon kapag pupunta siya sa domain ng tatay niya. Mahirap na, baka hindi pa makabalik si Deion. Ayoko namang dumating sa punto na susugurin ko si Zeus kapag may ginawa siyang masama sa anak niya.

Tumuloy na kami sa loob ng ministry at pumunta sa gracing hall. Nang magsimula ang ceremony ay nalaman kong iba na rin ang host at hindi na si Madam Yvii katulad noong dati.

Maayos ang naging takbo ng gracing. Nang i-announce ang panagalan ng grupo nina Gaddiel sa second rank ay mabilis silang tumayo. Hindi na masama ang tingin ng ilan sa kanila sa amin. Lahat sila ay nakangiti na sa amin ngayon, at kumakaway pa ang iba nang makatapak sila sa stage. Nagkaroon na kami ng maraming missions na magkasama. Naging close na rin kahit papaano ang dalawang grupo na kilala noon bilang rivals.

Nang mawala ang ilaw ng gracing circle ay nakita ko sila na nakasuot ng panibagong set ng uniform. Kung hindi silver, ginto ang makikita na pins na nakalagay sa kanila. It seems like Eliora's fiance is already an Alpha I. Isa na lang at magiging katulad na siya ng rank ni Deion. Deion reached the highest rank a demigod can get two years ago.

"The group who accumulated a total of 276,893 merit points is..." tumigil sa pagsasalita ang host at itinuro ang side namin. "The Stellars!" Tumayo na kami at masayang umakyat sa stage habang kinakawayan ang mga taong nagbubunyi kasama namin.

Kahit ilang taon ko nang nararanasan na umapak sa gracing circle ay natutuwa pa rin ako sa feeling at sa thought na makakakuha ako ng graces at malalaman ko ang bagong rank ko. Nang magsimula itong umilaw ay pumikit ako. Nadama ko ang pagbabago ng paligid ko, at pagmulat ko, nakita ko ang sarili ko sa pamilyar na lugar kung saan ako napunta noong first gracing ceremony ko.

My lips automatically formed a smile as I saw two people waiting for me. My mother and faher are here. They're both holding a box. I jumped and hugged both of them tightly. It has been five months since I last saw them. "Hello, Aji," bati ni Mama at humalik sa noo ko. "Ajax, I missed you." My father kissed me on the top of my head before patting it gently.

"We're sorry we can't visit you, new rules from Hades." tumango-tango lang ako dahil naiintindihan ko naman. Marami rin kasing nagbago sa sistema ng mythological realm matapos ang nangyari three years ago. Mabuti naman at kumikilos na ang mga deity nang maayos ngayon. Hindi na rin sila nagbabalak gumawa ng gulo, gayon din ang mga halimaw. Kaya medyo mapayapa sa surface e. Mabuti na lang. Pero dahil nga hindi sila makapanggulo sa surface e ang domain ng mga deity ang inaatake nila. Kaya marami rin kaming gawain nitong mga nakaraang taon. Ito rin and dahilan kaya gayon na lamang din ang itinaas ng merit points na nakuha namin.

"It's fine, Ma. Okay naman po ako e. Tsaka hindi naman nawawala sa tabi ko si Kidlat." Ngumisi si Mama at si Papa naman ay sumimangot. "I am jealous that Zeus' kid can spend more time with you." Hinampas naman siya ni Mama sa braso kaya't napadaing siya.

"Anyway, we can't stay for long, Aji." Binuksan ni Mama ang box na hawak niya at nang makita ko ang laman noon ay nanlaki ang mga mata ko. Isang gold pin na mayroong II ang nasa loob ng box. Alpha II? Ganoon kabilis? Last year ay Beta II pa lang ako ah. "You have grown so much, anak." Isinuot ni Papa sa akin ang pin at niyakap ako. "We are so proud of you."

Sunod na binuksan ni Papa ang box na hawak niya. "Ito ang regalo ko sa'yo at sa..." tumigil ito at tsaka ngumiwi. "Sa ano po, Pa?"

"Sa nobyo mo." Natawa ako dahi sa pagkakasabi niya noon na para bang pilit na pilit siya. Natawa naman si Mama dahil doon. "Sus! Kunwari pa iyang Papa mo. Alam mo ba, Aji, sumadya pa talaga 'yan kay Hephaestus para ipagawa iyang regalo niya sa inyo?" Natatawang sabi ni Mama habang iyong isa ay namumula na ang mga tainga. "Ikaw, Pa ah. Boto ka pala kay Deion e."

"Whatever. Maiwan ka na namin. May mission pa kami ng Mama mo."

"Hon, 'di ba may sasabihin ka kay Draven?" paalala ni Mama. Umaliwalas naman ang mukha ni Papa at para bang naliwanagan. "Aji, I need you to take care of one target today. Just the last one, I promise."

Niyakap nila ako sa huling pagkakataon, at nang mawala sila ay nakita ko ang sarili ko sa stage, kasama ng iba pang Stellars. Bukod kay Deion, hawak nilang lahat ang mga espada nila, at mukhang nag-improve lalo ang mga ito. Ang ganda na lalo ng Azarin, Luna, Agape, at ng Nahara. Nakakalungkot pa rin dahil hanggang ngayon ay wala ang holder ng Cordelia. Matapos niya akong iligtas noon ay nawala ulit si Dillon. Sinabi niya na magpapalakas muna siya at babalik sa tamang panahon.

Pinagmasdan ko silang lahat. Alpha I na sina Eli at Belle, samantalang ang iba ay Alpha na lahat. Kahit hindi nakapaligid sa kanila ang vigor nila ay ramdam mo ang kapangyarihan nila sa tuwing nagsasalita sila. Sa tindig pa lang nila ay para na silang mga kagalang-galang na nilalang, parang ang mga deity. Their gaze bears power and their stance exudes authority.

When I looked at Deion, I found him looking at me. His lips are curled in a smile and he looks so proud. Within a blink, I found him beside me. He whispered, "I am so proud of you, Uwak." I only smiled at him before holding his hand. Then, I removed the bracelet from his wrist, and replaced it with the one my father gave. It was a bead bracelet made of aquamarine stones, but one of the stones stands out because its color is like our eyes, crystal blue. Isinuot ko na rin ang akin at ipinakita iyon sa kanya. "My father gave these as a gift for both of us." A big smile is now marking his lips. Namumula rin ang mga tainga niya nang bumaba kami sa stage.

I was about to sit down when my heart started beating loudly. Then, a strong pulling force appeared out of nowhere. I don't know why, but I missed this feeling. I looked at Deion and I think he understood what I was thinking of. "Deion. Bring me to the car, now."

In a split second, we both reached the car. I quickly got in and told him the location. We need to be there in exactly 15 minutes.

When we reached the park, I saw my target not far from where we park. Kakalabas lamang niya ng coffee shop at may bitbit pa siyang kape at isang paper bag. Ten seconds...

My heart beats loudly again. The life string of the lady had turned red already. She fell on the ground with her hands on her chest. Her face shows the hint of pain as she clutches her chest. A drop of tear fell from her eye and her breathing became unstable. Heart attack will be the cause of her death.

"Go, do your thing."

It's time to end your pain, Ma'am. Let me free you from your suffering.

I made myself invisible in the naked eye of the crowd, then jumped as high as I could. I raised my right hand as the Azrael materialized in it, and with it, my black wings bloomed before me. I chanelled my vigor to my hand. This familiar sensation was as overwhelming as before.

I flapped my wings as I played with the sword. "Azrael..." I called. A strong ray from the sun that's started setting hit its hilt, making my father's color shine from the skies.

"Death blade," I said as I moved the sword towards the red life string of my target. The string split in two, and it lost its color. I saw the lady in front of her dead body, smiling at me with a tear from her eye. She mouthed thank you before vanishing.

"Uwak! Did you remember the favor you owe me from our deal three years ago?" Deion asked while I'm still up here. Three years ago? Deal? "When you were training your vigor control." Ah. Iyong ilang milliseconds lang akong late.

Umirap ako at tumango. "Oo. Sa loob ng tatlong taon, naisip mo na ba kung anong gusto mo?"

Deion nodded as he walked towards me. He tossed something midair before he lifted himself off the ground. I quickly caught the small box and held it in my hand. "Ano 'to?"

"Open it." Like what he said, I opened the box, and what's inside made my eyes widen.

It was a ring, a gold ring that shines brightly like his eyes. "Can you do me a favor of protecting the two realms with me for the next years of your life?" My lips automatically flashed a smile when the familiar clouds enveloped us. His gentle lightning streaks. His thunders that sounds like a lullaby. His gentle winds. His calm storm.

"I want to traverse this world with you for as long as the Moirai permit." My heart swelled when he cupped my cheeks with his hands. He leaned his forehead to mine as he closed his eyes. "Until my thread turns red and my time runs out, I wish to be with you." Then, he opened his eyes. His calm storm brewing on his right, and the crystal blue shining on his left eye. Deion is so beautiful. He is as enchanting as ever.

"With this, I would create a new promise, and the skies would be its witness." He removed the ring from the box, and as soon as it touched his skin, it was enveloped with lightning streaks. "For as long as the heavens remain up there, I will love you, and I will stay by your side. I would be your friend, your protector, and your lover, Ajax. And until all the remaining magi in my body depletes, I would be there for you." He held the ring between our chests as it shone amidst his calm storm. "It is a vow I shall never break, or the strongest of lightnings will pierce through my heart." Then, he held my hand with his other hand. "Will you be willing to spend your days with me, Uwak?"

I looked him in the eyes and smiled. "Of course, Kidlat, it is what I am wishing for in this lifetime, too." Isinuot niya sa akin ang singsing at niyakap ako nang mahigpit. "That if I would be protecting this world, I want to protect it with you. I also want to be with you until the mist of death appears on my chest or the spider lilies bloom around me." This time, I was the one to cup his cheeks and lean our foreheads together. "I want to be embraced by your gentle storms for as long as I live, Deion. It was the wish I was dying to ask of the fates. I wish for Clotho to never stop spinning our threads, Lachesis to give us ample time in this world, and for Atropos to never cut our strings unless we were done with our missions in this world together."

The ring glowed brightly as Deion pulled me by the waist and claimed my lips. He kissed me gently, soft lips moving carefully, and so I did the same. With our bodies this close, I can feel his heart beating loud and fast. As soon as we broke the kiss, Nimbus appeared out of nowhere. He hooted and flew around us happily. We chuckled and hugged each other again.

Then, with the thunders playing like a lullaby and the lightning streaks lighting the darkening surrounding, we danced slowly in the sky.

After a few seconds, the thunders were joined by a soft and mellow voice coming from below, and different flower petals danced with the wind around us. The moon shone at us, and the stars burned brighter. When I looked down, I saw Eliora, Gaddiel, Aidan, Belle, and Aliyah. They were all smiling at us, eyes glistening in tears.

On the other side, I can see a pair of green eyes glowing behind a tree. She was smiling while looking at us. She's here.

Deion pulled me by the waist and put his face on my neck. I closed my eyes and felt our hearts beating at the same pace.

"I love you, Uwak."

"And I live for you, Kidlat." 

⚔